Phillies secure bye in first playoff round and hold tiebreaker for first place

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies have a tradition that has endured through both good and bad times at Citizens Bank Park. Minutes before the final home game of the regular season, a player takes the microphone. He must give a speech. Two years ago, Kyle Schwarber addressed the crowd, not knowing if the Phillies would have another home game in 2022. Last September, Trea Turner thanked fans for their positivity as the Phillies clinched a wild-card spot.

This year, Brandon Marsh took the field. “We can’t do it without you guys,” Marsh said. “We’re looking forward to many home games here in October.” Then he barked.

“AND WE HAVE TO LET THE DOGS EAT” 🔥

Brandon Marsh makes us want to see RED OCTOBER!! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/jQsg0XAS0n

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) 25 September 2024

Here’s what the Phillies know: They won’t play a postseason game until Oct. 5. Their 9-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates earned them a first-round bye.

The Phillies (94-65) will finish no worse than the No. 2 seed. They can still finish with the best record in the National League and secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason. They have tiebreakers over the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, who are 93-64 and 91-66, respectively, heading into their game Wednesday night.

But the club won’t push too hard this weekend in Washington to secure the top spot. The Phillies will keep the rotation – Ranger Suárez, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola – although all of those starters could have shorter stints. They will rest some starters; Bryce Harper could miss most of the weekend.

But first place is a goal.

“If there’s a Game 7, we’re going to get it here,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “And I think that’s important.”

The Phillies sold out Citizens Bank Park for the 47th time in 80 home games (one fewer than usual due to the London trip). They finished with 3,308,638 fans, the sixth-highest in franchise history, and posted a 54-27 record, the club’s second-best home winning percentage since 1900.